A growing number of nursing homes are making big changes to create a more personalized appeal, moving away from centralized care management, large commercial kitchens, common therapy spaces and medicine carts lingering in hallways, according to a blog on the McKnight's website.

The household model of care, which seeks to create a more tailored, homelike environment for older adults, is becoming one of the more popular options, according to blogger Stephen Proctor.

He offers a few tips for designing a homelike environment, including remembering that small is good.

"Instead of grouping residents by floor with 40 to 50 people, we're creating households with 10-16 people to create a more intimate environment. In this more personal environment, residents see the same faces — of other residents and caregivers — and build stronger connections. We also see more positive behavior in smaller groups, with individuals often becoming more outgoing and confident," he wrote.

Read the blog.